In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using exclusively Ping clubs.
At the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026, Freddy Schott clinched his maiden DP World Tour win in a nerve-wracking playoff on the final day. Only after the second hole of the sudden-death playoff against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed—who also finished the tournament at 17 under par—was it clear that the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf had claimed his first major triumph for Germany. Schott relies solely on the well-known Japanese brand Ping for his clubs.
Driver: Mini Driver as Secret Weapon
From the tee, the newly crowned DP World Tour winner trusts a mini driver, similarly to Marco Penge, who recently adopted such a club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer, added to the USGA’s Conforming List only in January this year. Ping is among the few brands whose mini drivers are not yet commercially available and currently used solely by the world’s top players. Notable features are the ‘Prototype’ label on the sole and an adjustable weight at the back. The adjustable hosel and ‘Spinsistency’ marking on the clubface complete this previously unknown model.
Schott also carries a Ping utility iron. Previously, depending on course conditions, he used 2- or 3-irons from the Ping iCrossover series but has recently been seen with a Ping iDi utility iron, introduced at the end of 2025 and quickly adopted by several pros. The Ping iDi is a powerful long game iron combining modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control—designed to maximize ball speed and stability, particularly as a driving iron off the tee or for long approach shots.
Ping Blueprint-S for Control and Performance
For his standard irons (4-PW), Schott uses clubs from the Ping Blueprint-S series, a setup in use for about a year and first introduced in early 2025. Before that, he played Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S heads are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel with a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking irons with excellent control and performance.
Schott’s wedges are also from Ping, belonging to the S259 family. These feature precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface, and the HydroPearl chrome finish maximizes friction for increased spin, especially in wet conditions. The S259 is the successor to the well-known S159 series, available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott’s Decisive Putter in the Playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag is also from Ping, whose name has been synonymous with the distinctive sound of putting since 1959. Schott relies on the classic mallet design for his putter, previously seen using similar models. His Ping PLD Ketsch custom putter, made to his specifications, offers precise roll characteristics and clear feedback. It helped Schott achieve the best putting statistics over the four tournament days and ultimately led him to victory in the playoff.
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